DOVER — Cory Bennett, who was facing trial for the 2012 killing of a Farmington man, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery Monday morning in Strafford County Superior Court.

Bennett admitted his role in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Ryan Stewart, but said his co-defendant, Christopher Gay, 28, did the stabbing. Gay is still set to stand trial in Stewart's death.

Prosecutors struck a plea deal with Bennett after two weeks of jury selection in preparation for the trial of Bennett and Gay. Now those jurors will be dismissed and there will be a new jury selection process for Gay's trial.

The details of Bennett's plea deal are sealed, though Senior Assistant Attorney General Janice Rundles, who is prosecuting the case with fellow Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan G. Morrell, said the agreement does include prison time. She said his sentencing hearing will be scheduled after Gay's trial.

The charges against Bennett carry maximum sentences of 7½ to 15 years for the conspiracy charge and 30 years to life for the murder charge.

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Christopher Gay

During the Monday morning hearing, Rundles said Bennett admitted to his involvement in planning the robbery and beating of Stewart. She also said Bennett testified Gay stabbed Stewart.

The trials for the two men were combined in December after the state argued consolidation for judicial economy since the two men are facing the same charges with the same evidence and witnesses.

At the time, Morrell said consolidation would ensure a fair trial for both men by preventing one trial from prejudicing the other.

The trial for the two men was estimated to last five weeks.

Though no date has been scheduled for Gay's trial, Rundles said the involved attorneys will meet in court next week to set a date.

Gay is facing first- and second-degree murder charges as well as a conspiracy to commit robbery charge.

“Given what we heard today, I don't expect that to change,” Andrew Cotrupi, Gay's attorney, said.

The timing of the plea deal, after the jurors had been selected, was unusual, Cotrupi said.

“It's numbing given the amount of time and work spent on it,” he said.

Rundles said though it's not common, it's also not unheard of, but would not comment further as to why the deal was reached after jury selection.

Stewart's family could not be located Monday for comment on the plea deal.

Both men are being held at the Strafford County jail as they await their hearings.